Friday, October 26, 2012

Technically I have been to 2 spin classes but my first was in 2006 and I didn't really know what I was doing so I didn't spin right and therefore I didn't make spinning a regular exercise routine.

My interest for spinning was sparked while reading Mommy, Run Fast posts about spinning and her journey in becoming a certified spin instructor.

So Thank You Laura for inspiring me to spin :)

The Story:
Yesterday I looked up the local spin classes at OZ fitness and determined I would be able to get a sitter from Miss Bean today and go try spinning.

I was a little nervous going into the class since most of the bikes in the back had been taken so I would have to be upfront :( But it ended up being to my benefit since the instructor was right in front of me. :) The instructor was awesome and she came right up to me and introduced herself and asked if I had ever taken a spin class before and needed help setting the bike up. Relieved I told her I had tried a class in 06 but didn't remember anything and would need help setting up my bike. She was really great helping me set up the bike and before I knew it, I was spinning!

My first impression:
Enjoyed the music and the atmosphere with low light.
"Holy crap I think I'm going too fast" but then once I tightened the resistance I was ok.
I felt awkward and like I was maybe concentrating too much.
I wished I had a friend to be with since I felt like a lone ranger.

We started out with sprints for 30 seconds up to 3 minutes and back down, during these times I thought that my legs might fall off.
note: I liked it when we were able to stand up and ride aka "jump" (not sure if that is a technical term or not but that is what she called it) because I felt like I was more comfortable and it was more like running.

Once we finished the sprinting portion we had a slight cool down with some jumping intervals and that was fun.

Then we did a 9 minute gradual hill with a 6 minute hill interval following.

This might sound weird but I liked the hill more than the sprints which usually is opposite with running. My legs got to really push and burn going up the hill but maybe I was doing the sprinting thing wrong. Not sure but going to another session will help me understand it more since it's all brand new to me.

My overall impression of spinning:
Great butt kicking workout!! My legs are jelly and even my arms are sore!
I enjoyed the music and company of working out with others however, I still longed for a run after just so I could clear my head...maybe I should do a little "brick" workout??

Will I go back?
YES!! Hoping to do another spin session next week :)

As for running I am in a slow gradual build up to start training for a Marathon in Spring of 2013. I'm only at 7 miles for the week this week so I'm taking it nice-n-slow since most of my runs are with the stroller and I don't want to injure myself.
I'm planning on using the FIRST Marathon training program and that is why I'm making myself get used to doing "other" cardiovascular workouts since my strength routines aren't what they recommend for the 3plus2 workouts (3 runs, 2 aerobic cross trains). They do still want you to strength train so I'm just going to attach some strength routines onto my runs or cross training days.

Questions for you:
Have you ever tried spinning? If not would you?
Did you enjoy spinning?

Friday, October 12, 2012

This week we had a good family friend pass away and on top of that there is many close family and friends that have been fighting through excruciating times.

I typically like to stay very positive when addressing such heart wrenching issues but lately it seems almost too much to bear.
I keep asking myself, "WHY?" I cry my heart out to God since I know He cares. I guess it's hard for me to just say I'm praying for them. I know with God ALL things are possible. My heart just breaks with the pain I see loved ones go through and all I want to do is take the pain away. I don't like seeing them unhappy and not full of joy. Then I'm reminding that God doesn't either:

John 3:16-17For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

I believe sometimes we must come to the end of saving ourselves and admit we need a saviour. In my case I need to admit that I'm not the saviour of them and I need to give the situation to God for Jesus is the Only Hope, He is our Hope.

Matthew 11: 28-30

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jeremiah 17:7

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,And whose hope is the Lord.

When dark perilous times seem to overwhelm and consume you remember Jesus is the Way, the Light and the Life you need. He does not judge you or condemn you but saves you out of the agony you are in. God loves you and does not judge you any longer because the judgment was judged upon His Son on the cross. If we just come to Him and lay our cares and trouble at His feet, He who is our hope will help carry us through the deep dark valley of the shadow of death.

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.

3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.

4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.

6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Father God, I lay my troubles and cares at your feet so you can help perfect the things that concern me to help those in need. In Jesus Name, Amen

Psalm 138:8

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

This post really is a journal for me, not sure if I will publicize it our not but if I do, I hope it will help you too.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The delay of our work trip to North Carolina caused me to become completely derailed from training and even running!

I just ran 1 mile today and that was my first run in 2 weeks :(

I'm glad I was able to run but I feel like it's going to take a lot to gain back a "base" and then be able to actually train for a FULL marathon.

I know it will happen someday but, it just seems like a distance dream rather than a tangible reality.

I'll start building back a base and I'm also going to participate in the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels and hoping that will help build strength so I can maybe pile on additional miles in the weeks to come but, only if I feel good. I need to listen to my body and not get injured.

Right now I'm thinking a marathon in the spring/summer of 2013.

Maybe instead of the Coeur d'Alene Half Marathon, I'll run the FULL instead?

Or maybe the Windermere Marathon which is a couple weeks before the Coeur d'Alene?

Or maybe the Seattle Rock n'Roll Marathon in June?

I guess I'll wait and see how my base building goes to see when training can begin.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

I've been super busy this summer and haven't had much chance to blog :(

Sad but true...

Anywho!

Just thought I would drop a little note to let you all know I'm alive and kicking :)

Things have been going very well.

In the end of July we had a little family vaca to Seattle and San Diego.

Here are some pics from Seattle :)

Pic of Seattle from Alki Beach

Miss Bean exploring the rocks

Miss Bean running in the sand

Miss Bean being adorable...as always! :)

I like feet pics

I'm pointing to some sea gulls or something

Family Pic but Miss Bean was looking down

There she is :)

Holding a Popsicle...I know I'm a dork!

While in Seattle we went to the original Starbucks, It was wonderful but packed full of people. We also went the the EMP (Experience Music Project) and that was cool but I didn't get to see much since Miss Bean was being a crank pot and she only wanted to watch the large screen with music videos.

After 3 days in Seattle we flew out to Sand Diego and it being Miss Bean's first flight she did awesome! She fell asleep for the first flight to LAX and then she was up making new friends on the short flight from LAX to San Diego.

Here are some pics from San Diego:

Shamu at Sea World

More Whales

Turtles

Family Pic

Sea Lion

Trying on Dada's glasses

The sea lion doing a trick

Dolphin Show

Shark Attack!!

Right before we left they played Miss Bean's favorite song and she had to get out and dance. :)

Tuckered Out from a long day at Sea World

Went to the beach at night and Miss Bean smiled for the pic :)

Then to the infamous San Diego Zoo

A camel was one of the first animals we saw

Miss Bean looking at the camels

Looking at them with Dada

An Impala

Family Pic

Miss Bean pondering the Meerkats

Meerkat!

Pointing the Meerkats out to us

Elephant

Miss Bean with her monkey leash, which was great keeping her close!

Lions

Polar Bear

Trying to grab the camera from Mama

She is not afraid of heights!

Looking at some fishies

Oh and a Hippo!

Smiling Monkey

Miss Bean making friends

Family Pic

Miss Bean wanted to go up and down the stairs, giving Dada a workout, hehe

Giraffes

Baby Giraffe

Rhino

Trotting along with Miss Bean at Pacific Beach

Cool shot my hubby got

Smiling with Miss Bean

Family Beach Pic

Birds at San Diego Safari Park

More Meerkats

A turtle shell

That contains Miss Bean

Very Cool!

Hubby and Me Pic

Miss Bean decided to sit on a bench

Birds

More Giraffes from the Tram

Lion was a wake for a short bit before falling back asleep

Miss Bean trying out the jimbay

Drumming with Dada

Last stop at the beach in the bay

All our footsies in the sand

Last family vaca pic

San Diego was awesome and I wish we would of planned for a longer trip down there so we could of went to the beach more and relaxed. Next time that will happen though :)

Hope everyone is doing great and I've been reading some blogs just haven't been commenting as much since I've been reading on my mobile blogger. I'll try to comment soon. We were in New England for my hubbys family reunion for a couple days in the begining of August. We are currently in NC, and have been for almost 2 weeks, because my hubby is working on our friends house and haven't been on the computer much.

As for running I've been getting in only 4-6 miles a week so training is on hold until I get back. Hoping for a late fall/winter half marathon and then in the a full marathon in the Spring :)